Uncovering the Cover Girl:

When the Mask Falls Away

Part I

I’d love to tell you that I had some grand epiphany that led me to delve into the topic of authenticity more deeply. It wasn’t. The analytics spoke for themselves, so here I am – creating a summer series to look more deeply at what it means to be authentic and how doing so leads to living a genuine life of faith.

What does it truly mean to be authentic? By definition (Merriam Webster) it means not false or imitation; true to one’s own personality, spirit, and character. In other words, authenticity means to embrace who we are – good, bad, ugly – flaws and all that comes with them. Authenticity is loving who we are, in spite of who we are, as we grow in grace.

In Part I, I will share three characteristics that I believe are necessary to living an authentic life. They are self-awareness, self-acceptance, and vulnerability. Learning who you are, for better and for worse, is really a superpower. When you have that level of self-awareness, there is not much that people can say about you that will leave you dumbfounded.

Self-awareness is the ability to see and understand the things that make you who you are. It is the recognition of who you are as an individual. Your personality type, your values, your beliefs, your emotional state as well as your pattern of thinking. Self-awareness is the cornerstone of your authenticity. It allows you to know your strengths and weaknesses. Proverbs 4:23 teaches us to guard our hearts because it determines the course of your life. If you don’t understand yourself, the things that motivate you, the things that you value, the things that make you afraid or the prior experiences that may trigger you now, you can’t fully align with God’s purposes for your life.

You can cultivate your self-awareness by praying and asking God to give you insight to your blind spots and hidden motives. In Psalm 139:23-24, the Psalmist invites God to take a look at his heart and reveal anything that is offensive.  Can I be real for a moment? You not only need to have an open heart, but you’ll also need some courage, too! The truth may sting a bit but be sure of this: you can trust God and God’s love for you. Every revelation is an act of devoted love that will help you grow into the person you want to become.

Journaling and times of quiet reflection can also help you process your emotions and give you insight into why you do what you do. It helps you to be more conscious of the complicated feelings you’re carrying and get the clarity needed to view them more objectively. Think of your journal as your safe place to dump whatever is in your head. When I am stressed and feeling overwhelmed, I sit quietly and do a “brain dump” to get to the core of what I’m feeling. Sometimes, I am amazed at what is really driving my emotions.

Also, trusted friends or mentors can offer you loving, truthful insights into who you are. Good friends will not only tell you the truth, but they will encourage you to be the best version of yourself. They will challenge you when they believe you are wrong and push you to do better. True friends will help you become the person you undeniably want to be. After all, iron sharpens iron. Genuine friends who accept you for who you are will help you accept yourself as you are shaping your values and ideals.

Friends will gently propel you into radical self-acceptance. That is what God calls us to. I am sure you have heard that comparison is the thief of joy. Well, it is! How often have you looked in mirror and damned yourself with faint praise? With criticism, comparison, and condemnation you withhold grace from yourself. God calls us to something different. God calls us to embrace the truth that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Real talk here. I’ve struggled with acne all of my life. I remember complaining about my skin one day many years ago and the person I was with said, “You’ve got to play with the uniform you’re issued.” My self-perception shifted at that very moment. In a heartbeat, I embraced the truth that God knew exactly what He was doing when He formed me in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:14 (NLT) says it this way, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” Who are you to disagree with the God who made you? In Christ, you are more than enough.

Not only are you beautiful, but you are also on a unique journey that cannot be measured by some else’s dusty tracks in the road. Begin to thank God for who you are, how God created you – all of you – your body, personality, your mind, and gifts. Your gratitude will transform your view and help you see yourself as God see you.

It is equally important to allow yourself to be vulnerable. We are all perfectly flawed. We live in a culture that puts a lot of pressure on women to always be well put together, strong, accommodating, and polite. The truth is sometimes we are messy, overwhelmed, unobliging, and sarcastic. It is okay to embrace your imperfections and be seen in your struggles. This is real life. Stuff happens – and it is NOT all good!

In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT), God spoke to the Apostle Paul as He speaks to us, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness. Our weakness is where God’s strength shines through. But to live in God’s strength, you’ve got to be vulnerable enough to admit you’re weak.

Some people are just “down to earth” and while you may appreciate it on some level, you might also secretly clutch your pearls at some revelations because you just can’t imagine yourself being that open or honest about yourself or your things you have experienced. If vulnerability doesn’t come naturally for you, you can cultivate it. Practice with a small group of friends you trust. Be willing to share your story. Life is messy, not just for you, sharing the ugly, hard stuff can strengthen and encourage someone else.

Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. No one has it all together. God has a remedy for the struggling. It’s called community. We are encouraged to share each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). We are called to stir one another to love and good work.  Remember that you don’t have to earn love. The God of heaven loves you beyond your comprehension. You don’t ever have to perform to earn God’s love. When you can truly accept the overwhelming love of God, then somehow, the approval of people doesn’t matter so much.

So why not start today by taking one step toward living your life being you. The real you. Authentic. The real deal. One hundred percent. Choose day-by-day to become more self-aware, more self-accepting, and allow yourself to be vulnerable. You don’t have to be perfect; you just have to be God’s.

So, what is one area you can begin to grow in today? Self-awareness? Self-acceptance? Vulnerability? Share in the comments. I’d love to hear your heart.

Simone

#authenticity #unmasked #vulnerability #revisionministries